The runners from Creative Technologies Academy concluded a busy week of competition with tough races at Tri County and the Sparta Invitational. On Tuesday, the Chargers traveled up to Tri County High School to run against both Tri County and Lakeview. Warm weather led to some tough conditions, but that did not stop the top female for CTA, Erin Willis, from finishing with an impressive third place with a time of 23:43. Freshman Grace VanEnk also placed high in sixth place. The boys team was lead by senior CJ Bouck, Jeff Spicer, and Jeremiah Wortz in fifth through seventh place, respectively.

In the “Silver” division at the Sparta Invitational this past Saturday, CTA faced 15 other schools and fast, dry conditions for numerous personal bests. The boys placed 13th as a team and found themselves with a new number one runner for their team. Freshman Jeremiah Wortz stepped up a big way half way through the race to lead the Chargers across the line with a time of 19:47. Wortz dropped 52 seconds from his previous best time. Kyle Biddlecome, Andre Winters, Bouck, and Lukas Holstein rounded out the scoring.

On the girls side, four Lady Chargers competed in a tough race. Willis continued to lead the way for the team, followed by VanEnk, Ashton Willis, and Cassie Dille. Although it was not the best race of the season for the girls, Coach Verwey was impressed by the heart demonstrated by the ladies. Dille, despite battling injury, ran a personal best time and freshman Grace VanEnk appeared to be adapting well to tougher high school competition.

CTA will travel far north this weekend for the Central Lake Invitational. After some struggles at Central Lake last year, the team is looking for some redemption and will test their will against some smaller northern Michigan schools.